Throwdown 2019 — International TheatreSports Festival

It’s Vancouver TheatreSports’ annual improv competition where teams convene to see who can be proclaimed the fastest wits in town. VTS artistic and executive director Jay Ono says that they have invited the best teams in the TheatreSports world to come to Vancouver in October for the International TheatreSports Institute Conference, which VTS is hosting in 2019. To prepare, local teams of ensemble members compete in a round robin run-off to see who will be proclaimed the best of the rest and get to take on the Throwdown’s three time-winner from Orlando.

Peppermint Twist Manicure

While undoubtedly fun and festive, the holiday season can also be stressful. Now that the best (or the worst, depending on who you ask) of the season is behind us, it’s time to focus on some self care. Book into a local spa for a full-body experience, or, focus on a single body part — like your hands — via targeted treatments like the Peppermint Twist Manicure at any Absolute Spa location. The 60-minute treatment includes a soak and scrub using Aromatherapy Associates products, as well as a paraffin treatment and a polish application.

Taco Tuesday

When: Various times

Where: Local taquerias

Tickets and info: Restaurant websites

There was once an entertainment editor here who made a new year’s resolution with some friends to not eat any french fries for an entire year. The reason that this arrangement was made completely escapes me today, but I had a thing against it from the beginning. Why deny yourself something for a whole annual cycle rather than pursue something? So this year, I propose people get serious about putting tacos on the menu every Tuesday in 2019. Why? Because they are yummy and endless flavour combos are available. Personal fave: taco shell, peanut butter, sriracha or equivalent hot sauce, piles of sprouts. Roll up. Eat. Done until next Tuesday.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

There is still some time left to catch this incredibly popular family fairy tale musical. Can Belle teach the Beast to love and change the spell upon him? Will the candle drip wax on the carpet? Will the carpet complain? What about that guy with the enormous arms, he’s always getting up to something unsavoury? It’s two hours-plus of singing, dancing costumed fun for everyone in this stage adaptation of the Academy Award-winning animated feature.

Taiji (tai chi)

It’s a new year and that means folks are going to be considering trying out new things to have a healthier lifestyle. One of the more chill ways to achieve that is to take up the martial art of taiji (tai chi), proven to have a host of health benefits from increased balance and strength to relaxation. One of the oldest schools in the city to learn the art at is the Canadian Institute of Tai Chi. Founded by the late Sifu Steve Malliaris in 1973, the institute is now under the guidance of master Nathan Szredni, who teaches at five different locations as well as presenting seminars and workshops. Classes are all registering now and begin this week and next for the winter/spring term. Is it time for you to get that internal energy flowing?

A fine cup of tea

When: Any day, any time

Where: Wherever you find yourself in the mood for a warm brew

Tickets and info: Check assorted retail websites

Chances are, a lot of us received gifts this season of fine tea. It’s become rather trendy to give as a present and there is nothing wrong with that. But unscientific polling around the office has brought to our attention that a lot of that tea languishes in the can too long, losing its flavour and all those other supposed benefits to your system. So don’t forget to partake in a cup of lovely hot brew whenever you feel like a little bit of coziness in your day. Don’t believe it’s a thing? Just watch any UK TV shows and you’ll see, from marriages to murders, everyone is always offering to make tea.

Party like its 2019

When: any day, any time

Where: Wherever

Tickets and info: Up to you

As mentioned earlier, why should resolutions always be about denying the good things? In celebration of 20 years since Prince proclaimed it, shouldn’t we party like it’s 1999 again? If only for a moment, you can look back to the days when the world was a simpler place and deal with that storage issue for all those bottles of wine you received over the holidays.

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